News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-06-16
FIVE LITTLE MOUNDS.
A Pathetic Story of the Late War.

A Lycoming county farmer, blessed
by the possession of broad acres and fat
cattle and fatter cash account, had given
his five sons, says the Philadelphia Ne'os,
more precious than all else beside-that
the union might be preserved. His
name was Rankin. His wife was dead,
and his boys were his only solace, but
when war against his country was de-
clared he felt as did Volumnia, the
mother of CoriOlanus, when she said:
"Had / a dozen sons, each in my love
alike, / had rather have eleven die nobly
for their country than one voluptuously
surfeit out of action" So the Rankin
boys went to confront grim-visaged war.
The life blood of two of these rendered
more fertile the rank growth of the pen
insula, and their bodies lay unclaimed
amid the thousands who had gone down
in the shock of battle. The bowed but
not broken father came to the Govern
or's office in Harrisburg with his tale of
Woe Andrew Curtin never turned
deaf ear to such as he. He said: "You
are too old man to go after your sons
bodies. L will send a messenger for
them, and you can rest assured that you
will be enabled to give them burial"
And this was done.
After the second battle of Manassas
! the aged father again entered the execu-
tive chamber, and, without saying a
word, seated himself. The Governor
recognized him at once, and thought,
'Can it be that this old man is afflicted
again?" he babe him approach. The
visitors voice was broken, but his tears
did not flow as he said: Governor.
another of them has gone - For n
ment Mr.. Curtin could not speak. He
silently wrr1ng the horny hand of the
despoiled father. When he found voice
he said:
''You must not go. I will send for
him. You shall see him again"
And this was done.
When the news of the battle of Gettys-
burg reached Harrisburg, Governor Cur
tin travelled rapidly across country and
viewed that memorable conflict. After
its conclusion he returned to Harris
burg and was seated, late at night in his
room, when Rankin entered without
word and silently seated himself upon
chair. "My God" thought Mr.. Cur
tin, sit cannot be that the blow has fall
len upon this old man again. He could
not bring himself to ask the question,
and for fully fifteen minutes the two
men sat in that room, their heads upon
their hands, and neither uttered word.
At last the old man said, as he steadied
his voice: Governor, the other two
are gone"
'"1he other two? This is terrible"
eyes, Governor, the other two. They
have taken them all.
He wished a pass to enter the lines
that he might take home his silent sons.
''You are too old" said the anguished
Governor. 81 will send for them and
they shall be taken home"
And this was done.
After Gov Curtin had returned to
this country at the close of his five
years residence at the court of Russia,
he was in Philadelphia when it was in
timated to him that Mr.. Rankin, who
was still alive, would be highly delight
ed if his benefactor would pay him a
visit, when the eX-Minister was on his
way to his home in Center county. Mr..
Curtin said that he would comply with
the wish, and when he reached the rail
road station nearest to the LycOmlng
county farmers home, he found the old
man waiting for him with a carriage
That evening the people of the surround
ing country, at MIR. Rank1ns bidding,
focked to do honor to the Ex-Governor.
The next morning, after partalling of a
breakfast such as only a Pennsylvania
farmer can produce, the aged agrlcul.
turist invited Mr.. Curtin to join him in
a walk. He led the way to a wooded
knoll near the house, and atop which
was beautifully-sodded inclosure, sur
rounded by an iron railing. Within i
were five mounds and five headstones
The old man pointed towards them anc
simply said: "Governor, there they lie.'
Both men bowed their heads and neither
uttered q word. In a few moments
Rankin turned away with CHEEKY re
mark about the surrounding country.
and from that moment, during the tive
days festivities that succeeded Mr.. Cur
tins arrival, the desolate father never
again referred to his sleeping sons.